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Emma Rawicz: Chroma
ByThe album is named after the Ancient Greek word for colour and is a reference to Rawicz's chromesthesia, a type of synesthesia which involves seeing vivid colours in response to certain sounds and frequencies. And indeed, this is an album full of colour. Joined by Ivo Neame on piano, Ant Law on guitar, Conor Chaplin on upright and electric basses, Asaf Sirkis on drums, and Immy Churchill on vocals, the album is a twisting journey through dense harmonies and angular melodic lines. Rawicz's tenor offers perhaps the most striking colour palette of them all, shifting effortlessly between soaring lyrical phrases, fast-fingered flurries, and muscular growls.
The opening track, "Phlox," jumps straight into this kaleidoscopic colour spectrum with Sirkis' rhythmic chanting, clearly inspired by the vocal technique of Hindustani Classical music. The melody then enters, reminiscent of the wonky intervallic leaps of the Eddie Harris standard "Freedom Jazz Dance." The second track, "Xanadu I," is a complete change of mood a tempo, a contemplative ballad in which Rawicz explores the delicate altissimo registers of her tenor over shimmering piano chords and sparse drums fills. The third track, "Rangwali," sounds almost like a Chick Corea composition, with its driving Latin rhythmic pulse, fast electric piano lines, and flute and vocal melodies in octave unison. The intriguing variation of these opening tracks set the tone for the rest of the disc. Highlights include "Xanadu II" which verges on the edge of free jazz and brings a wild ferocity where the first version was peaceful and soothing. "Viridian" is more traditional in its instrumentation of acoustic piano and double bass, and the closing track is propelled towards a frenetic end with its scuttling up-tempo drum patterns and darting solos.
There is an infectious energy which is evident throughout the album, and we can only listen on in in eager anticipation of what the future holds in store for Rawicz.
Track Listing
Phlox; Xanadu I; Rangwali; Xanadu II; Middle Ground; Xanadu III; Intro to Viridian; Viridian; Falu.
Personnel
Emma Rawicz
saxophoneIvo Neame
pianoAnt Law
guitarConor Chaplin
bass, acousticImmy Churchill
vocalsAsaf Sirkis
drumsAlbum information
Title: Chroma | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: ACT Music
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Emma Rawicz
Album Review
Tom Spargo
Chroma
ACT Music
Ivo Neame
Ant Law
Conor Chaplin
Asaf Sirkis
Immy Churchill
Chick Corea